Household switch mechanism



April 3, 1956 K P, CRONK 2,740,873

HOUSEHOLD SWITCH MECHNISM Filed July 17, 1952 United States Patent OHUSEHOLD SWITCH MECHAN ISM Kenneth P. Erotik, Downey, Calif., assignorto "Pouch- Plate Mfg. Corp., Paramount, Calif., a corporationAppiication July 17, 1952, Serial No. 299,511

2 Claims. (Cl. 200-168) My invention relates to the iield of electricaldevices, and more particularly to a household electrical switch assemblywhich embodies a novel face plate structure and design.

Although the use of electrical switches of the type that may beconveniently positioned on a wall for the control of electricalillumination is relatively old, the ornamentality of such switch faceplates in the past has been impaired by the visible screw heads of thesupporting screws on the exterior surface thereof.

The primary purpose in devising my present invention is to provide ahousehold switch mechanism embodying a smooth-surfaced face plate ofattractive design, and one that may be removably held in place on thebody of the switch by means invisible from the exterior thereof.

A major object of my invention is to supply an electrical switchmechanism having integral holding means formed on the rearward surfaceof the face plate thereof which removably engage the backing plate ofthe switch to maintain the face plate in position thereon.

Another object of my invention is to provide a face plate for anelectrical switch mechanism that is inexpensive to manufacture, and maybe fabricated as an integral unit from suitable plastic material in anydesired color.

A still further object of my invention is to furnish an electricalswitch mechanism embodying a face plate of pleasing ornamentalappearance that is durable and easily cleaned, incorrodable, unatiectedby atmospheric conditions, and retains its original luster and finishindenitely.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide an electrical switchface plate assembly in which no electrical conducting materials areemployed whereby it is impossible for electrical shocks to betransmitted.

A further object of my invention is to furnish a face plate that may beeasily positioned on the backing plate of an electrical switch withoutthe use of hand tools of any type.

Another object of my invention is to provide a face plate for ahousehold electrical switch mechanism, the surface of which cannot bemarred or damaged as no tools are employed in mounting it on the backingplate.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof andform the drawing illustrating that form in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front surface of my face plate foran electrical switch mechanism, with the switch actuating buttonprojecting through an opening formed therein;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the switch housing and thebacking plate on which same is mounted;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rearward surface of my face plate,showing the reinforcing ribs thereof and the projecting members whichremovably hold the plate in position on the backing plate of anelectrical switch; and

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the backing plate and 2,740,873Patented Apr'. 3, 1956 switch actutaing button shown projectingforwardly therethrough.

Referring now to the drawings for the general arrangement of myinvention, it will be seen that it embodies a housing H supported on therearward face of a backing plate P, with a button B projecting throughan opening formed in the plate. When button B is moved, it actuates anelectrical switch mechanism (not shown) disposed within the contines ofhousing H. A face plate F, best seen in Figures 1 and 3, is providedwhich is removably held in position on backing plate P by means thatwill hereinafter be explained.

Housing H (Figure 2) is of a generally rectangular configuration, andmay be fabricated from any one of the various commercially availableplastic materials suitable for this purpose. The housing H comprises arearwardly disposed wall 1Q from which two side walls 11 and end walls12 extend forwardly to define an opening which abuts against therearward surface of the backing plate P to enclose the electrical switchmechanism. Each end wall 12 is preferably formed with a projecting lug13 that has a tapped bore (not shown) extending rearwardly therethrough.Screws 14 are provided which extend through bores formed in backingplate P for engagement with the tapped bores in lugs 13 and to removablysupport the housing H on the plate (see Figures 2 and 4). By looseningscrews 14, the housing H may be readily separated from the backing plateP.

Backing plate P is preferably of a generally rectangular shape, as shownin Figures 2 and 4, and formed of any suitable commercially availablerigid sheet material 15. Two vertically spaced transversely disposedslots 16 are formed in the backing plate through which screws (notshown) may extend for holding the plate at the desired location on awall structure. Plate P has a substantially rectangular opening 17 cutin the central portion thereof through which the actuating button B mayextend. Two cylindrically shaped members 18 having annular taperedinteriors are provided, which are rigidly disposed in bores formed inthe upper and lower portions of the backing plate P.

As shown in Figures l and 3, face plate F is of a rectangular shape witha dat central surface configuration 20 from which four elongateconnecting marginal areas 21 extend to define the boundary of the plate.The areas 21 terminate on the outer edges in somewhat shallow rearwardlyextending side walls 2, with each side wall having an interiorlypositioned vertical face 23. Face plate F is of such overall size thatthe edges 24 of backing plate P are disposed within the contines of sidewalls 22 adjacent to the faces 23 thereof. In Figure 1 is shown themanner in which the marginal areas 21 blend to present a pleasingeiiect, the adjoining ends of which are defined by diagonal junctionlines 21a.

The face plate area 2G has a centrally disposed opening 24 formedtherein through which the actuating button B projects. Two pins 25having tapered end portions 25a are integrally formed as a part of faceplate F and extend outwardly from the rearward face 26 thereof. Pins 25are so spaced on plate F as to be removably inserted in the taperedportions of members 18. The lit of pins 25 in members 18 is suiiicientlysnug that face plate F firmly and removably abuts and is held inposition on backing plate P.

To compensate for any unusual pressure exerted on the exterior surfaceof face plate F if it is carelessly mounted on backing plate P, twolongitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 27 are inwardly disposed fromthe elongate edges of the rearward surface 26 of the plate. Two pairs oftransversely extending ribs 28 are also disposed inwardly from the topand bottom edges of the rearward surface of the plate which preferablyintersect the rib 27.

Reinforcement of face plate F by the above described rib structure isaugmented by a third rib 29 which extends continuously around opening 24on the interior face 26 of the plate.

Itis preferable that faceplate F,.pins 25, and reinforcing ribs 27, 28and 29 be formed as an integral unit from a suitable synthetic plasticrmaterial as by molding. It will, be, apparent that actuating button Band face plate F may be fabricated of materials having the same orcontrastingV color, depending on the decor of the room in which myinvention is to be employed.

The. use and operation` of my invention is very simple. The'y backingplate P is mounted at the desired location and secured to the wallstructure by fastening means that pass through slots 16. Electricalwiring (not shown) may be connected to the switch mechanism in housingH, and thusv control electrical illumination by actuation of buttonB.Faceplate F may be mounted on backing plate P without the necessity oftools by simply slidably inserting the pins within the contines ofmembers 18. Face pIate F is then rmly but removably held in position onbacking; plate P with the actuating button B projecting through opening24. As no hand tools are utilized in mounting face plate F on backingplate P, it will be apparent that the possibility of marring or scarringthe plate. surface due to slippage of a screw driver, or the like,.iscompletely avoided.

Although the electrical switch assembly herein shown and described isfully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantageshereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merelyillustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of my invention andthat I do not mean to limit myself to the details of construction hereinshown other than as, defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an electrical switch mechanism, the combination of: asubstantially rectangular backing plate; a switch 4 mechanism containinghousing mounted on the rearward surface of said backing plate; anactuating button for said switch mechanism extending forwardly from saidhousing through an opening formed in said backing plate; a plurality ofvertically spaced, cylindrical, pin-receiving members disposed on saidbacking plate; a substantially rectangular molded plastic member havinga forwardly disposed face embodying a flat central portion in which abutton-receiving opening is formed, and elongate marginal areasextending outwardly from said central portion which taper rearwardly; acontinuous side wall integrally formed with said member extendingrearwardly from the outer edges of said marginal areas to envelope theedges of said backing plate when said member is positioned thereon; anda plurality of vertically spaced, smooth, tapered pins integrally formedwith said member on the rearward surface thereof, with said pins whenslidably inserted into the confines of said cylindrical pin-receivingopenings holding said member in position on said backing plate, and saidside walls and ribs cooperating to4 References Cited in the rile of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 998,119y Peterson July 18, 1911 1,612,035Lorenzo Dec. 28, 1926 1,771,498 Petersen July 29, 1930 2,580,056 WheelerDec. 25, 1951

